Meskhenet, goddess of Egypt

Ancient Egyptian Gods and Goddesses for kids - Meskhenet

The Mythology & History of ancient Egypt surrounding Meskhenet, the goddess of childbirth and destiny

Meskhenet, goddess of EgyptDiscover the legends and myths and religious beliefs surrounding Meskhenet, or Meskhent, was the Egyptian goddess of childbirth and destiny. She was depicted with a crown or headdress depicting a Peseshkef knife which was a prehistoric flint knife in the shape of a fish tail, that was used to cut the umbilical cord Meskhenet, played an important role in the 'opening of the mouth ceremony' where she ascertained the suitability of the deceased to enter the paradise of the Afterlife. Meskhenet was believed to be a force of destiny who decided the fate of a person when they were first given life. Additional, interesting facts and information about ancient Egypt, and its mysterious gods, is also available via:

Who was Meskhenet?Meskhenet was the Egyptian goddess of childbirth and destiny depicted as human like goddess with an ancient knife as her headdress that was used as a recognition aid and a device to visually convey the powers, identity and attributes of the deity.

Facts about MeskhenetThe following facts and profile provides a fast overview of Meskhenet:

The function of Meskhenet is described as being the childbirth and destiny

Status:

Minor but well respected goddess

Symbols:

The Peseshkef knife, the Ankh, the Was Scepter, the Djed

Cult Center:

No cult center but she appears on birth bricks in both Upper and Lower Egypt

Name of Consort:

Shai, the god of destiny

Name in Hieroglyphics:

Meskhenet in Egyptian MythologyMeskhenet, the Egyptian goddess of childbirth and destiny, featured in the stories, myths and legends in Egyptian Mythology. As the goddess of childbirth she was sometimes depicted as two bricks with a human head. These were believed to be magical bricks representing the 'birth bricks' and used during special ritual practices during childbirth. The ancient Egyptian women delivered their babies whilst standing, kneeling, squatting, or sitting on their heels on birthing bricks, or sitting on a birthing chair. The birthing bricks that ancient Egyptian women used during the final stages of childbirth, measuring 14 by 8 inches long and decorated with painted scenes and figures of the birth process. After a child was born, Meskhenet carried out her duty as a goddess of destiny and predetermined the life of the child. The ancient Egyptians believed that their fates were recited over the birth bricks and that these fates were also inscribed on magical birth bricks.

Meskhenet and the Ancient Greek FatesThe role of Meskhenet in relation to destiny and her association with Shai and Renenutet is believed to be the basis for the ancient Greek goddesses called the Three Fates (Moirae) were reputed to be the personification of destiny, the weavers of fate who determined when life began, when it ended and all that happened in between.

The Role of MeskhenetThe role and duties of Meskhenet were

Protector of newborn babies and their mothers

Goddess of nursing

Responsible for the 'Ka', a part of their soul, which Meskhenet breathed into a person at the moment of birth

Goddess of fate and destiny who decided the fate of a person when they were born

The consort of Shai, the god of destiny

Associate of Renenutet another goddess of nursing who gave a secret name to each person

The Symbols of MeskhenetThe symbols of Meskhenet include

Peseshkef knife which was used to cut the umbilical cord

The Ankh

Was Scepter

Meskhenet

Meskhenet

Interesting research information and Facts about the Egyptian goddess Meskhenet

Meskhenet, the Egyptian goddess of childbirth and destiny

Stories and Legends in Egyptian Mythology associated with Meskhenet

Facts and information about the gods and deities of of classical Egypt for schools, research and kids

Meskhenet, the Egyptian goddess of childbirth and destiny

Meskhenet & The Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani)There were many versions of the Book of the Dead, the following picture is taken from a Book of the Dead commissioned by a royal scribe called Ani. Ani is depicted with his wife moving towards the the scales of truth and the ceremony of justification in the Hall of the Two Truths. During the ceremony the heart was weighed on a set of scales against the feather of truth when the fate of Ani would be decided - either entrance into the perfect afterlife or to be given to Ammit, Devourer of the Dead. Ani, accompanied by his wife, is seen standing with head bent low in adoration at the side of the Balance. Between Ani and the scales stand the two goddesses who nurse and rear children, Meskhenet and Rennet (possibly Renenutet). The role of Meskhenet was to ascertain the suitability of Ani to enter the paradise of the Afterlife, a representation of a symbolic rebirth in the Afterlife.